Events

2026 MLK Back to School (Drive-Thru) Festival

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual MLK Back to School Festival, an event for students and families to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essential items for the new school year.
 
Over 30 community partners participated in the drive-through festival, distributing supplies to over 1,000 students and their families. 
 
Community Partners included Ben Abbott & Associates, Peter & Dena Silberman, Enterprise Holdings, Reliant, In the City For Good, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, LIRA, HELP, CBRE, MLK, Jr. Recreation Center, Dallas Public Library (MLK, Jr. Branch), MILES of Freedom, Empowering the Masses, Qu’Dee, IDK Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Dairy Farmers of America, City of Dallas Office of Housing & Community Empowerment, City of Dallas-Defend Your Drains, City of Dallas – BEST, City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI), Ninguno, Texas Together, Bless the Lord Outreach Ministry, Together Leading Change, C5 Texas, Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership, Master Your Move, D1 Training, Hippy Texas, Excel Employment Services, and Double Up Food Bucks .
 
Breakfast and lunch were provided by Ben Abbott & Associates. Mo Goodas Italian Ice was provided by Reliant. 
 
Special thanks to our volunteers, Refulgent Star #004 and Phoenix Rising #357 for their time and dedication to serving the community!

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2026 MLK Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, June 13, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the 2026 Juneteenth 4K Freedom Walk & Festival, in collaboration with the Walls Project.
 
Attendees enjoyed free food, live entertainment, the Kid Zone, which included 10 bounce houses, water slides, and interactive games; and community vendors with food, informational resources, free giveaways, and more.
 
Community Partners included the Walls Project, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, LIRA, In the City For Good, Packing House Market, Aramark, City of Dallas Office of Housing & Community Empowerment, and Dallas Park & Recreation.

Photos courtesy of Priority One Media Group

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Photos courtesy of Priority One Media Group

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2026 “A Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted the 5th Annual “A Magnificent Mom’s Day Experience” in celebration of Mother’s Day. This is a special event designed to inspire, motivate, and celebrate mothers of all ages.

Attendees enjoyed complimentary brunch, live performances, motivational speaking, free giveaways and more.

Special guests included Aubla Clay, who serves as Director Of Patient Services for Aramark Healthcare; R&B Artist Kamika King; Spoken Word Artist Alex Tha Great, and Dr. Gunjan Kant with Sahaja Yoga Meditation.

Community Partners included the City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, MLK Advisory Board, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, HELP, LIRA, World Vision, DFW Voices for Education & Youth, Dallas Park and Recreation, Foremost Family Health Center, Empowering the Masses, Miles of Freedom, Oncor, Aramark, the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, In the City For Good, Lilycrown Specialty Tea, Tidbitz, Qu’Dee, Bria Washington, and Subway.

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2026 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch/ Mix & Mingle (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

April is National Volunteer Month and it is dedicated to honoring all of the volunteers in our communities as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the month.

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch/ Mix & Mingle in celebration of the volunteers who have graciously supported the center throughout the year.

Attendees enjoyed a short program hosted by the MLK Administrative Staff, catered brunch served by the MLK Advisory Board, trivia, games and prizes.

Community Partners included City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, LIRA,  and World Vision.

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2026 Spring Egg-Stravaganza (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Thursday, April 2, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza, an egg hunt for the children who attend MLK ChildCareGroup and free lunch and giveaways for the community.

Community partners included the Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, Dallas Park & Recreation, Foremost Family Health Centers, South Dallas Community Court, MILES of Freedom, LIRA Group, Vernette Moss (MLK Advisory Board, District 4), Reliant, Owenwood Farm and Neighbor Space, and Stella Porchia, Vickie Stepney.

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2026 Taste of Soul (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events ,

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the MLK, Jr. Community Center proudly hosted its 4th Annual Taste of Soul Soul Food Cook-Off, celebrating the rich diversity of soul food cuisine in honor of Black History Month.

Participants showcased their signature dishes for a chance to win first place in four categories: Meat, Sides, Desserts, and Vegan/Vegetarian. Each entry was evaluated based on taste, presentation, and creativity. The coveted People’s Choice Award was presented to the contestant whose dish earned the highest overall vote from the community.

Guests experienced a wide selection of soul food favorites, participated in raffles, and enjoyed live entertainment from R&B singer Kamica King.

Featured contestants included Qu’Dee, Marissa O’Leary, Fi’s Cake Shoppe, Gigi Sweets, Kiiana Sweets, Empowering the Masses, Belizean Jewels Island Flavors, Big Juicy’s Soul Food & More, Ken’s Folks Kitchen, Lilycrown Specialty Tea, Food for the Soul, The Creator’s Touch Signature Events, Pamela Dixon, Vickie Rone, Live Luxe Event Co. LLC, Shelly Goodwyn, Long Services, Tidbitz, and Charmed by Missa Vegan Cuisine.

Winners included Ken’s Folks Kitchen (Meat); The Creator’s Touch Signature Events (Sides); Charmed By Missa Vegan Cuisine (Vegan/Vegetarian); and Qu’Dee (Dessert). The People’s Choice winner was Empowering the Masses.

Community Partners included the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, Dallas Park & Recreation, Dallas Public Library, City of Dallas Arts & Culture, Kroger, Empowering the Masses, HELP, LIRA, Oncor, Dallas Mavericks, In the City For Good, Packing Housing Market, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, and World Vision.

Special thanks to the MLK, Jr. Community Center Advisory Board, the judges, and our dedicated volunteers for their gracious support and commitment to the center.

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2026 MLK Celebration Week (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

The City of Dallas hosted its 44th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from January 13-19, 2026, with a weeks’ worth of events highlighting issues of opportunity, diversity, and community.
 
This year’s theme was “Remaining Awake Through a Great Transformation.”
 
Events included the Day of Reflection, Prayer, and Dedication; a Job Fair hosted by Workforce Solutions of Greater Dallas; Multicultural Showcase hosted by the Dallas Youth Commission; Drivers of Opportunities Symposium hosted by City of Dallas Office of Equity & Inclusion; a Candle Lighting Ceremony, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter); MLK Fest hosted by The Walls Project; the MLK Scholarship & Awards Gala; and the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, hosted by HELP.
 
Sponsors included JBJ Management, Ben Abbott & Associates, HEB, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Renaissance Dallas Hotel, Thomas J. Henry, State Fair of Texas, and TXU Energy.

Congratulations to our scholarship essay winners: Carrah-Ahlyse Rone (Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet), Aniyah Williams (Skyline High School), DaQuan Manuel (Skyline High School), and Robert Reddick (Skyline High School).

Congratulations to our award winners: LIRA Group (Humanitarian Award); HELP (Volunteer of the Year Award); Empowering the Masses (Community Service Award); In the City For Good (Excellence Award-Nonprofit); Packing House Market (Excellence Award-Organization); World Vision (Dream Forward Award-Nonprofit); Kroger (Dream Forward Award-Organization); Deborah Sutton (Dream Forward Award-Individual); Terris Perkins, Jr. (Dream Forward Award-Individual); DFW Voices for Education and Youth (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); MILES of Freedom (Engagement Award-Nonprofit); Accident and Injury Chiropractic (Engagement Award-Organization); Oncor (Engagement Award-Organization); and Dr. Terry Flowers (Juanita Craft Award). Our 2026 Trailblazer Award Winner is Richard Miles, Founder & CEO of MILES of Freedom.

Special thanks to the MLK Advisory Board; LIRA, HELP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter; James Madison High School JROTC; Imam Khalid Shaheed, Spiritual Director, Oak Cliff E.C., Imam Emeritus, Masjid Al Islam; Rev. Dr. Sharon L. Larkin, Executive Pastor St. Luke Community Methodist Church; Rev. Dr. Paul Burns, Eastminster Presbyterian Church and St. Mark Presbyterian Church; Women Breaking Ground; Britton Oils and Aromas; At Ease Hair & Skin Care; Stitched By Sheryl; Dabbs Decor & Gifts; Burn & Blow Candle Co. x Flock Soap Company; Dat’s Different Accessories; Gold Rush Unlimited Bling & Blessings; Lauren Cooper Mosely; Steven Dial, WFAA; and Roland Martin. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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2026 MLK Celebration Week

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events, Information

In January 2026, the City of Dallas hosts its annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week of events highlighting issues of opportunity, diversity, and community. This year’s theme is “Remaining Awake Through a Great Transformation.”

MLK Week will feature our Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship and Awards Gala, in which we will present scholarships to the winners of our MLK Essay contest and recognize organizations and individuals that have supported the MLK Center and our community throughout 2025, and will culminate with the annual MLK Day Parade.

For more information about 2026 MLK Celebration Week, please contact 214-670-8418.

2025 Winter Warmup (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, December 20, 2025,  the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Winter Warmup Coat Drive & Distribution, a community-based effort to provide new coats, hats, and gloves to children and families in need.

This year we distributed over 650 coats to children and families in need. 

Community Partners included Toyota, Dallas Mavericks, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, Target, Terris Perkins, Jr., LIRA, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Empowering the Masses, HELP, Peter & Dena Silberman, In the City For Good, Junior League of Dallas, Project Unity, Bridgford, WestRock, CBRE, Mahiri Takai, Bimbo, IDK Foundation, SoftwareDXT, Doris Edmon, RoseSharon Wright, Crystal Tyler, Thelma Gay, Mildred Pierce, Clinton Marshall, Patience Mbamba, and Jordan Lowder.

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2025 MLK Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway (Event Recap)

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Events

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the MLK, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway to provide Thanksgiving meals to over 400 families in need.

Registered guests participated in the drive-through distribution receiving a turkey and a roast, along with vegetables, eggs, dinner rolls, and more for a complete holiday meal. Hot meals and hygiene kits were also provided to the community by Feed the Streetz.

This event was a collaboration between the City of Dallas Office of Housing and Community Empowerment, Toyota, Kroger, LIRA, In the City For Good, Empowering the Masses, Feed the Streetz, HELP, the Walls Project, Foremost Family Health Center, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Miles of Freedom, Reliant, Atmos Energy, First Choice Social Services, Dave’s Killer Bread, Carter’s House, Nature’s Own, Packing House Market, WestRock, Mahiri Takai, Dairy Farmers of America, The Richards Group,  and Accident & Injury Chiropractic.

Special thanks to our volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to serving the community. We could not do it without you!